CHAPTER 3: RYKER

I still couldn’t believe that I slept through some creepy person trying to break into my van.

When I woke up, there were no signs of forced entry. But when I went outside to check around , I found paw prints.

Of something very large

I thought it was a bear paw at first but then I realised that it was a very strange wolf paw.

I had never seen a large wolf paw like that before.

I was creeped the freak out

I never knew they would venture so close to the town.

it literally sent chills down my spine.

I moved my van not willing to take the risk of having an encounter with such a large wolf.

I was at my usual booth spot drinking my coffee when I saw him walk in with his jet black hair and toned skin.

God

He was a sight for sore eyes

I still couldn’t believe he was the mayor of this town.

This was the second time I have seen him.

“ I know right, total hottie alert” I jumped realising that I was oogling the guy in front of Alice .

“ What” I said acting like I never saw him walk in.

“ Don’t what me missy, I know an oogler when I see one” she said pointing a stern finger at me playfully.

She reminded me of my older sister in all types of ways.

I tried looking away as he greeted one of the waitors but his aura demanded attention.

I think he liked the waitor but I noticed how he kept his distance from her.

He looked in my direction and I looked away as fast as I could.

My cheeks were hot knowing damn well I was blushing.

Why am I blushing, his just a hot dude that happens to be a mayor get over yourself.

Ryker was his name.

Just as I thought it he looked my way again.

My cheeks burned more from embarrassment as if he had read my mind.

He smiled and nodded my way I nodded back too sheepishly.

He grabbed his lunch and left.

I finally let go of the breath I was holding which I didn’t know I was holding.

It reminded me of the way I felt when someone was watching me.

I could finally breath again.

“ well someone clearly has the hots for the mayor” Alice wiggled her eyebrows mischievously and I bursted out laughing.

“ see you tomorrow Alice” I smiled and she waved me off.

When I reached the door I noticed he was standing outside .

I opened the door and he was talking to some dude.

He had his eyes on me the whole time he spoke to the guy.

I just scurried off to the library.

His stare was so intense that I wanted to get away from it as far as I could.

It reminded me of when I had eligible suitors , which were all unsuccessful in the end.

I guess they were willing to settle down and I was quite not ready for that because of my not aging issue.

Bingo

I found one more

The pictures always had something that hid what I was looking for , either the person was standing way behind or someone had scratched the person out from the photograph

I found another one of them. I mean us.

She was unclear in the pictures because she was also in the background covered by tall people.

A family photo taken at the the centre of Bryanston where I had seen the statue.

It was more than 500 years ago.

She was there clear as day

Alice

I stumbled back a bit

It was her for sure I knew it, obviously not in her usual pony tail with a bright smile but it was her.

In the description it said that was her great great great grandmother Sarah .

The resemblance was uncanning

This was strange.

One person having the resemblance of the heritage was another thing but two people with identical relatives dating back to centuries ago.

That was no coincidence

I think I found where I came from.

Or at least that there is more people like me.

Maybe they know what is going on.

They have to otherwise there is no hope for me.

This is my last resort.

I closed earlier today and made my way back to my van. I turned to my usual corner and heard hushed arguments.

I stopped and my eagerness got the better of me.

I took a quick peek to see who the people were.

I know those curls from a mile away. I have been looking at them for quite a long time.

“ you were not supposed to become friends with her—“ he stopped and holly molly I thing he saw me.

I hope he didn’t see me.

I ducked right back into the wall hoping that the wall could swallow me whole

“ what is it” she said, Alice I knew that voice from anywhere.

I think he saw me.

I had to play it cool, act as if I didn’t hear anything.

I put on a smile and came out

“ Oh, Zoey” she gleamed her previous annoyed demeanour gone.

She headed to me and gave me a quite awkward might I add hug.

The guy standing beside her followed her

“ This is Andrew, my boyfriend” she said

“ Zoey” we shaked hands , the hairs on my back stood quiet alert of the dilemma I was in.

“ Andrew Williams” his hand was firm.

He smiled back and just as they were done with the introductions they disappeared around the corner with Alice babbling about whatever she was babbling on about.

I wonder what they were speaking about before I came along.

He was related to Ryker. The surname was familiar and he was one of them that was in the photographs.

Things were getting stranger by the second.

I found one more. That makes them three or us four I mean.

As I made my way back to my van, the hairs on my back stood for the hundredth time again.

I would find out who was stalking me one way or another.

And I just had a plan to find out.